Marriage Proposal
I am flying to Chicago for the day with my girlfriend and plan to propose. Do any of you have a suggestion for a great lunch restaurant that will do the trick? My returning flight leaves at 6:00 pm so I do have some time constraints.
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If you're just jetting into and out of Chicago, then where you're "staying" is important, because you don't have alot of time. Some of the suggestions on this thread are dinner-only venues, unfortunately, and if you're leaving by 6pm that won't cut it. I really like the NoMi suggestion. Call ahead and see if they can give you a special table. Otherwise, in the same nabe Cafe Spiaggia is very nice and romantic AND open for lunch.
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re: Chicago Mike
Unfortunately, most of the better restaurants in the area around Lincoln Park Conservatory, are not open for lunch on Saturdays. Too bad, proposing at a bench in the greenhouse followed by a celebratory lunch at North Pond, would have been ideal.
However, NoMi is open for lunch on Saturday, and is a very nice alternative option, especially if you can get a table with a view. Like Mike suggested, it wouldn't hurt to call them and tell them what you had in mind, and see if they can't give you a special table.
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Hmmm Saturday makes it more tricky - as you will have fewer options. Van Pensiero doesn't do lunch anymore - and I'll have to check about Jackie's Bistro and Jilly's Cafe too - about whether they are open for lunch on Sats.
You might check out Kiki's Bistro (Chicago) - request a corner table or booth. I'll have to think about breakfast in the Lincoln Conservatory area and get back to you. Buckingham Fountain would be another fine place to pop the question.
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I like the idea of proposing at Lincoln Park Conservatory. Sounds like a great place! Given that, are there any good breakfast areas in that area? I will be in town on a Saturday morning by 8:00 a.m. and will be ready to chow. I think North Pond Restaurant is closed Saturday other than dinner. Any other suggestions?
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Another vote for North Pond - which has it all for a romantic moment. We really like Jackie's Bistro in Evanston - but the ambiance can be a bit hit or miss. Jilly's Cafe (a block away in Evanston)is usually very good and quite cozy. Va Pensiero (again, Evanston) could be perfect - if they got rid of that extremely unpleasant manager...
Are you looking for cozy intimate? Or lively festive? Also what kind of foods do you like?
I strongly suggest you don't get misled in to going to Geja's (fondue) which is vastly over-rated in both the food and atmosphere departments. I can't fathom how it has maintained it's reputation as THE romantic place to go (it was, kind of like 25 years ago) but now, especially if there is live music, she probably won't even HEAR your proposal...
Above all do NOT go to Blackbird!
In any case, all best wishes to you and yours...
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I don't know how much time you will have, but just south of North Pond in the park, on the other side of Fullerton Parkway, is the Lincoln Park Conservatory, which is a beautiful glass structure built in 1890 with rooms of flowers, palms and orchids. It would be a fine place to pop the question.
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I way preferred the food at northpond to NoMi (although the view at NoMi, if you are lucky to get a window seat, is stunning). Plus around northpond, there are several pretty vistas that are away from the hustle and bustle if you didn't want to actually propose in the restaurant.
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North Pond is very romantic, and the food is great. Here's a link to their web site. Note that they're closed on Mondays.
http://www.northpondrestaurant.com/Another great spot would be Jackie's Bistro - a very pretty room, also excellent food (French) - but they're in Evanston - closer to O'Hare, but don't know how it would work with your plans for the rest of the day.
Ambria is in a beautiful art deco room (same area as North Pond), but I'm not up to date on what the food is like - however, assuming the food is good, that would also be a great choice.
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